Senate begin probe of power sector today
The Senate will on Tuesday begin investigation into the dispensation of funds to power sector, which has gulped tens of billions of dollars since 1999 without commensurate returns.
They are to probe into the alleged mismanagement of funds allocated to the power sector from the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999 till date.
The investigation is to be the carried out by an Ad- Hoc Committee on Power set up by the President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on August 28, 2015.
The committee is to be chaired by Senator Abubakar Kyari (APC Borno North).
There have been similar probes into the sector in the past by both Senate and the House of Representatives, with out much to show.
The Clerk of the Senate Committee on Power, Ojabo Cletus, said in a statement on Monday that the probe would be by way of investigative hearing/interactive session from and with various key stakeholders of the sectors from 1999 till date.
Saraki had at the inauguration of the committee charged it to conduct a comprehensive probe of allegations of questionable practices in the power sector.
He lamented the continued lack of regular supply of electricity despite the country's huge investments in the sector, urging its members not to put Nigeria first as they taken on the onerous task.
Kyari promised the committee would carry out a thorough probe.
He said: “A close look at the entire power value chain (generation, transmission and distribution) calls for review of our policies in order for optimum performance across the board.
“The abysmal performance of the generation segment is no longer news in view of the deteriorating power supply, which hovers around 4,600mw for a population of over 170 million people.
“This is despite the huge resources committed into it.
“Compared with our contemporaries, this is highly regrettable.
“No wonder so many companies have relocated from the shores of this nation due to increasing cost of production.”
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